Demographics of Belize
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Belize-demography.png
Belize is the most sparsely populated nation in Central America. It is larger than El Salvador and compares in size to the State of Massachusetts. Slightly more than half of the people live in rural areas. About one-fourth live in Belize City, the principal port, commercial center, and former capital.
Most Belizeans are of multiracial descent. About 46.4% of the population is of mixed Maya and European descent (Mestizo); 27.7% are of African and Afro-European (Creole) ancestry; about 10% are Mayan; and about 6.4% are Afro-Amerindian (Garifuna). The remainder, about 9.5%, includes European, East Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and North American groups.
English is the official language. The Spanish language is the native tongue of about 50% of the people and is spoken as a second language by another 20%. The various Maya groups still speak their original Maya languages, and an English Creole dialect (or "Kriol" in the new orthography), similar to the Creole dialects of the English-speaking Caribbean Islands, is spoken by most. English is the primary language of public education, with Spanish taught in primary and secondary school as well. Bilingualism is encouraged.
The rate of functional literacy is 75.1%.
About 60% of the population is Roman Catholic; the Anglican Church and other Protestant Christian groups account for most of the remaining 40%. Mennonite settlers number about 7,160.
Demographic data from the CIA World Factbook
Population
- 279,457 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure
- 0-14 years: 40.1% (male 57,114/female 54,877)
- 15-64 years: 56.4% (male 79,694/female 77,881)
- 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 4,768/female 5,123) (2005 est.)
Median age
- Total: 19.35 years
- Male: 19.21 years
- Female: 19.49 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate
- 2.33% (2005 est.)
Birth rate
- 29.34 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate
- 6.04 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate
- 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio
- At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
- Under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
- Total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate
- Total: 25.69 deaths/1,000 live births
- Male: 28.97 deaths/1,000 live births
- Female: 22.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
- Total population: 67.49 years
- Male: 65.02 years
- Female: 70.08 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate
- 3.68 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS
- Adult prevalence rate: 2.4% (2003 est.)
- People living with HIV/AIDS: 3,600 (2003 est.)
- Deaths: Less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality
- Noun: Belizean(s)
- Adjective: Belizean
Ethnic groups
- Mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%
Religions
- Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7.4%, Anglican 5.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonite 4.1%, Methodist 3.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), other 14%, none 9.4% (2000)
Languages
- English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Literacy
- Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
- Total population: 94.1%
- Male: 94.1%
- Female: 94.1% (2003 est.)
References
Template:CIA WFB 2005 and the 2003 U.S. Department of State website.pt:Demografia do Belize